Good news for open space advocates

Hoboken Southwest Parks Coalition sent out this jubilant e-mail today, letting everyone know that the City Council unanimously voted Wednesday night to send an application to the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund, asking for money to establish park land in Hoboken.

HSPC funding application to acquire parkland gains unanimous support of Hoboken City Council!

The effort to build a 6-acre park in Southwest Hoboken took a big step forward Wednesday night as the City Council agreed to place its support behind an application for Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund money to acquire land.

Before the vote, HSPC announced 1,047 signatures (and counting) have been collected in support of the effort to acquire Block 11. People from throughout Hoboken have signed the petitions, including hundreds from the Sky Club and Harrison Court adjacent to the park proposed in the Master Plan.

Thanks to all the volunteers who have been collecting signatures and all those who have taken time to learn more about the effort and sign the petition.

We appreciate the vote of support from each and every member of the council, but additional thanks go to Council President Theresa Castellano for ensuring the resolution was on the agenda for a vote in time to be a part of our application for grant money.

Many thanks as well to Councilman and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, Jr. who as chairman of the council planning and zoning committee has been moving the SW6 action plan forward along with fellow committee members Michael Russo and Beth Mason. Last night Councilman Ramos reminded his colleagues that as they support this parks plan they will need to be ready to use their power of eminent domain to acquire the land needed for this public use.